25 Movies 'Every Black Woman Should Watch'

Being the huge movie fan that I am and an avid reader of Essence Magazine, I found it very interesting to see their recommendations of the "Top 25 Movies Every Black Woman Should Watch". So figured I would take a look and provide my own remix version!! Check it out below (in no particular order):

1. Love Jones: 

A classic love story and a true showcase of black love. Larenz Tate and Nia Long have the perfect chemistry. A movie that I can watch over and over again, and never get tired.

2. Malcolm X:

Here is a movie that has the perfect equation...Eye Candy (that is Denzel Washington)+ History of an Icon that was heavily discussed in school= Amazing film and performance!! Many have said this is not just a movie, but a movement!!

3. What's Love Got To Do With It? 

Probably one of the best performance from Angela Bassett. She nailed this roll to a tee. And what was not to like a about seeing a black triumph and make it BIG!!

4. The Best Man:

And as an added bonus we get a sequel!! YES...YES...YES!!

5. Mahongany:

This movie is the perfect example of a true transformation. This film channels everything fashion, modeling, and a dramatic love affair with fine as wine Billy Dee Williams.

6. Sparkle (1976)

Family, Fame, and Love...each has its place in this girl group's lives.

7. The Color Purple:

Another classic book to film adaptation that examines the many facets of the black woman and her struggle to survive, maintain strength, and being true to one's self inside and out.

8. Eve's Bayou

"Memory is a selection of images, some elusive, others printed indelibly on the brain. The summer I killed my father, I was 10 years old." Now that is some deep stuff coming from a young child. I can remember watching this film and being hooked immediately. Director Kasi Lemmons shocks each and every one of your senses, and potentially even cast a spell on you. :-)

9. Waiting to Exhale:

I really like this movie! It showed the real deal of what happens in the lives of black women, everything from sex, dating, scandal, hurt, pain, love, and so much more. We could relate to at least one of the ladies or at least some part of them. The bond that each of these sistas had was truly genuine! And to top it off, it was accompanied by an awesome soundtrack!!

10. Daughters of the Dust: 

This quote said it best: "I've never seen another movie like it. It's a uniquely African and African-American story, but also a universal one at the same time. It's the lyrical story of a Gullah family on St. Helena Island on the eve of their move to the mainland (US/South Carolina). The visuals are stunning, the acting is great, and the story is original. To boot, the filmmaker, Julie Dash was the first Black woman to have her feature film (this one) distributed theatrically nationwide. The Library of Congress selected the film for the National Film Registry." --Akkida McDowell, Deputy Research Editor, ESSENCE Magazine 

11. Boomerang

"If you don't know the dialogue from this film, you need to learn it ASAP. Boomerang really created the blueprint for the Black creative executive. Love, money, drama, and sex. What more could you ask for? --Emil Wilbekin, Editor-at-Large, ESSENCE

12. Friday

Comedy, Chris Tucker, Bernie Mac, No Job!!

13. Foxy Brown

Pam Grier paved the way for ALL women to be able to play an action heroine, in a lead role. And she did it in true style!! Foxy was not one to mees with!!

14. Cleopatra Jones

Here is a woman who takes down a whole gang of men, by herself, and looks real fly at the same time. The sista got it going on!! You can't tell me Cleopatra was not a diva!

15. A Raisin in the Sun (1961)

Sidney Poitier, Ruby Dee, Diana Sands...enough said!! True Legends.

16. School Daze:

Everything from "Good or Bad Hair...see if I care" to HBCU Homecomings, to Campus Revolutionaries!! You betta wake up!!

17. Their Eyes Were Watching God:

"It's a fantastic movie adaption to the famed book by Zora Neale Hurston starring Halle Berry and Michael Ealy. Not only does the main character, Janie Crawford (Berry) represent many women struggling to find themselves in life, she also fights to not let love rule her." --Derrick Taylor, Associate Editor, ESSENCE.com

18. Coming to America

"She's your queen to beeeee...." and "Sexual Chocolate (drops the mic)" 

19. Brown Sugar:

Hip Hop and Black Love, works for me!!

20. The Wiz:

"This lavish musical production of an all-Black retelling of The Wizard of Oz, showcased some of the greatest talents of all time."

21. I Will Follow: 

This movie was phenomenal, you can't help but look at your own self and family and see big or small pieces of your own life. I could totally relate with the main character Maye, when you invest so much emotionally into a something or someone, you can drain every bit of existence. But somehow that light at the end of tunnel becomes a little clearer and you can begin the fight again!

22. Set It Off:

Hats off to F. Gary Gray for this film right here. A movie about black women who stick together all the way to the end, despite the obstacles that are presented in front of them. Friendship at its finest. One of my fave movies of the 90s.

23. Love and Basketball

Friendship, Basketball, Memories...in the end love prevails!

24. Harlem Nights

"You shot my pinkie toe!!" If you have not seen this movie, stop right now and  go to Netflix and be prepared to laugh all day and all night!!

25. Poetic Justice

Before Kendrick Lamr made this into a hit track, the movie had already did the job.

Now this is just my take, but feel free to chime in on what might be on your list!!

Throwback Flick: Together Brothers (1974)

Here is a film that a friend of mine recommended that I watch since I am a fan of Blaxploitation films (another story). Together Brothers is classic tale of brotherhood, sexuality, class, race, and gender. Thirty-eight years later this film is still very much relevant. 

Together Brothers is a drama filled, gritty film that offers a portrayal of ghetto life within the wave of the 1970s Blaxploitation era. Set in Galveston, Texas a teenage gang comprised of Blacks and Chicanos, ‘the Brothers’ learn that a police officer, Mr. Kool (Ed Bernard), who was seen as a mentor has been found brutally murdered. The twist of the movie is that the only witness is the leader’s 5-year old brother who becomes mute due to what he has seen. As a result of this crime, the group lead by H.J. (Ahmad Nurradin) sets on a mission to track down those responsible for the murder of the popular police officer, as well protecting his little brother from any further harm.

Together Brothers is a sympathetic film that explores ghetto life, from various perspectives. On one end you feel a since of anger for what is seen as a senseless murder, and then there is a torn feeling of sadness and what is considered fair treatment towards a human being. When all else fails whom does one depend on for compassion and safety, their family and or their community? But what if neither is available? 

Together Brothers is not only a film that provides an intriguing story full of twists and surprises, but a naturalistic amateur cast. Director William Graham was brilliant for choosing a group of young, inexperienced actors to help make this picture more authentic and effective. H.J. (Ahmad Nurradin) offers an engaging mix of resourcefulness and bravery as the gang's leader and Tommy (Anthony Wilson) delivers a marvelously expressive turn without any dialogue as the little brother who witnesses the murder. In addition to the younger cast members, adult cast members Ed Bernard is both charming and authoritative as the police officer that the kids secretly admire; and Glynn Turman who although has a brief role plays a vividly drawn and compelling doctor who tries to lend a helping hand to the film's ‘hero’. Marking the first appearance of a transgender person of color in a motion picture, the character of Billy Most (Lincoln Kilpatrick) is presented as your typical deranged and “confused” murderer trope-type character. (S)he is essentially viewed by the neighborhood as a insignificant individual who committed a crime of murder, seemingly for no reason. Each character in their own unique and clever way draws you in with their credible and expressive performances.

As one watches this film, you realize that this intense, urban crime drama opens a serious dialogue regarding self-identity, sexuality, brotherhood, and embracing childhood even when it is viciously taken. This film, content wise, could even still be relevant in 2012 as it also addresses issues of police brutality, class, urbanization, and racial conflict. Even though Together Brothers is considered a Blaxploitation film it does bend the rules of the typical format by ushering a challenging story with characters that are actually allowed to be people instead of one-dimensional, overly-violent or sexualized caricatures. Imagine a film that truly allows for feelings of happiness and sadness from real people, here is a film that does just that.

All in all, Together Brothers is a film that offers an unusual mix social commentary, a street-wise story, and a soulful soundtrack. Some may even say this film was ahead of its time considering it discussed such issues as homosexuality and transgenderism. As a whole, this film is a well-crafted hidden gem that is worthy of rediscovery from fans of the Blaxploitation film era and those interested in a complex, daring and provocative narrative.

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars

Day 1 of Black Movie Month "Cooley High"

Today's Black Movie Month feature is that of Cooley High! This movie is definitely on my Top 25 of Black films and holds a place in my DVD collection. Just this past week I have talked about this movie with three different people so I figure this needs to be the first movie I spotlight.

This 1975 film directed by Michael Schultz and based on the Chicago high school with the same name, is the perfect example of what a classic Black film should even in 2011. It's filled with laughter, tears, and life changing experiences. The film would star Glynn Turman and Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs.

In the mid-1960s, a group of high school friends who live on the near North side of Chicago enjoy life to the fullest...parties, meeting new friends, and hanging out. Then life changes for two guys when they meet  a pair of career criminals and get falsely arrested in connection with stealing a Cadillac. We get a chance to follow their lives through the end of a school year and the end of their high school lives.

Some even think of this film as the "black American Graffiti" because it takes us down memory lane as we look at a group of black teenagers about to graduate from high school; who are getting ready to embark upon the rest of their lives.

To date Cooley High ranks #23 on Entertainment Weekly's list of "50 Best High School Movies". The movie would even go on to inspire the R&B group Boyz II Men first album Cooleyhighharmony, and remake the tear jeaker song "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye". And to think this film almost got an Academy Award, so deserving.

Machete

Before I break the ice and get into this review, you should know Machete is an PRIME example of an exploitation film and was definitely advertised as such. By definition, and exploitation film will include excessive violence, gore, nudity, and be high on intentional corny lines while low on plot devices and character development. This film personifies all of the facets that a 1970s blaxploitation film would have, except with the Hispanic culture. 

It is pretty much an expansion of a fake trailer that was released together with Rodriguez' and Quentin Tarantino's 2007 Grindhouse. As a big fan of Robert Rodriguez films I must say that this is one of his best films to date. Its pretty much neck and neck with his 2005 hit Sin City. Machete does what a good film needs to do, it keeps a simple plot with some top notch acting. The story revolves around an immigrant, Machete (Danny Trejo), a former Mexican Federale turned renegade. After a shakedown with a druglord (Steven Segal), Machete roams Texas looking to do yard work in exchange for money. 

One thing is for certain Danny Trejo is the star player who is finally getting his due as a lead. For all those familiar with him, know that Trejo was pretty much a bad-ass who made appearances never the leading role, until now. He proves with this film that he is very much capable of holding up on his own. Age never stopped anybody, definitely not in his case.

In addition, to him  I personally was intrigued and surprised at the same time the effort or lack there of Lindsay Lohan's character. Considering she really only has 10-15 minutes of screen time (primarily undressed), her character performs perfectly and flawlessly. In a weird twisted way the role almost appears as though it was written specifically for her (Kudos for stepping up and taking on such a mature role.) This was a great movie for filmmakers and audiences to have an opportunity to see her showcase that talent.

The whole cast in general is a sight to see. Rodriguez pulled the stops with this one including everyone from Steven Segal, Don Johnson, Robert DeNiro, Jessica Alba, and several others. We as audience members get an opportunity see a good mix of actors play roles that may not be expected of them. Rodriguez and Trejo should be commended on how fantastic the role of Machete was played out on the screen. To think at the current age of 66, the action Trejo does is damn near phenomenal. Machete is grand, illustration type of  character who always gets the one-up on the bad guys and the good love of the ladies, and you can just sense that Trejo is loving every moment of it. Thankfully we are too.

Machete is the perfect film to conclude the summer blockbusters of 2010.

Rating: 3 out of 4 stars